OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Another chunk of change is coming to Washington as pharmaceutical companies continue to pay out settlements in the wake of the opioid crisis.
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown announced that up to $105.6 million will be coming to Washington as part of the nationwide settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family.
The settlement totals over $7.4 billion split between 55 states and U.S. territories.
Washington will receive its portion of the settlement over the course of the next 15 years, with most money coming in the first three years.
As with all opioid settlement funds, the money will be split evenly between state and local governments, going towards combatting the opioid epidemic on multiple levels.
“Today’s agreement means even more money will flow to fund treatment centers, support first responders, and improve Washingtonians’ lives. We must do more to help communities on the frontlines of the opioid crisis and today’s settlement will do exactly that,” Brown said.
According to the AG’s office, Purdue Pharma – under the Sackler family’s control – made and aggressively marketed opioid products for decades.
The settlement also ends the Sacklers’ control of Purdue and prevents them from selling opioids in the U.S.
To date, Washington has been awarded nearly $1.29 billion in settlement money from companies that contributed to the opioid epidemic.
